D-backs’ Cuban prospect Lopez leaves Mobile, mulls retirement

PHOENIX — Diamondbacks pitching prospect Yoan Lopez is considering quitting baseball a year after signing for an $8.27 million bonus as a Cuban free agent.

Yoan Lopez

Arizona confirmed Saturday night that Lopez, 23, left the Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliate in Mobile, Ala., recently and has yet to return to the team. Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart has since spoken to Lopez, and the pitcher agreed to take time to mull his future and not retire from baseball immediately.

Lopez, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-hander, signed a minor league contract in January of 2015. After going 1-6 with a 4.69 ERA in 10 games with Mobile last season, he entered this season as a top-10 Diamondbacks prospect despite three stints on the disabled list.

Lopez is 4-7 with a 5.52 ERA in 14 starts for Mobile this year, with 36 strikeouts and 32 walks. He’s lost four of his last five starts, including his most recent one on June 29.

The Arizona Republic first reported Lopez’s departure from the Mobile club.